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Segment Information (Income From Continuing Operations, Before Federal Income Tax) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Underwriting (loss) profit	$ (1,363)	$ (12,698)
GAAP combined ratio	100.40%	103.60%
Statutory combined ratio	99.10%	102.60%
Net investment income	32,628	43,473
Net realized gain on investments	4,358	5,760
Total investment income, before federal income tax	36,986	49,233
Total all segments	35,623	36,535
Interest expense	(4,700)	(4,557)
General corporate and other expenses	(7,732)	(5,820)
Income before federal income tax	23,191	26,158
Total Commercial Lines [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Underwriting (loss) profit	(4,484)	(6,192)
Total Personal Lines [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Underwriting (loss) profit	$ 3,121	$ (6,506)

X

- Definition

The GAAP combined ratio (expressed as a percentage) is a calculation wherein the sum of: (i) loss and loss adjustment expenses (ii) underwriting expenses and (iii) dividends to policyholders is divided by net premiums earned.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

The income earned from investments in securities and other investments including dividends, interest, and returns on other investments. This item does not include realized gains (losses).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

The statutory combined ratio (expressed as a percentage) is the sum of: (i) the loss and loss expense ratio; (ii) the underwriting ratio; and (iii) the dividend ratio. The loss and loss expense ratio as well as the dividend ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss expenses, as well as dividends to policyholders, by net premiums earned. The underwriting expense ratio is calculated by dividing underwriting expenses by net premiums written.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

The income earned from investments in securities and other investments including dividends, interest, and returns on other investments, including realized gains/losses.

+ References

No definition available.

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X

- Definition

Total of all reportable segments' income or loss from continuing operations, before federal income taxes.

+ References

No definition available.

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X

- Definition

Net premiums earned and other insurance income less net loss and loss expenses incurred, loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

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X

- Definition

Represents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 34

-Paragraph 21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

Amount of general expenses not normally included in Other Operating Costs and Expenses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 6



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 325

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485959&loc=d3e22529-158502

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